The World of Myth Magazine

As everyone finished the light breakfast and after a couple of big pots of coffee were consumed, Tim asked his guests to gather in the den. It was here that he made his pitch for the evening.

“It has been suggested,” Tom said, looking over at Cathy, “that the spouses take a night out this evening. This will give the Coleman kids time alone and also give Cathy, Larry, Jack and Peggy a chance to be together in a less crowded setting.” Tim paused as a slight nervousness came upon him. “Now, I’m a bit nervous about suggesting this and if anybody is not comfortable with it, we’ll forget it.” Tim hoped all of the spouses would be eager to take a break and get away for a while. Tim knew that this weekend was much like a high school reunion for the spouses. Attending someone else’s reunion was of limited value and enjoyment for the tag along person.

Jack Edgmon spoke up. “I haven’t been on a date in a while.” Leann poked him in the ribs and teased him back, “Don’t get excited. It’s a double date. Not even you can get in trouble on a double.”

“Don’t be so sure!” he shot back.

Peggy embraced the idea. She would welcome anything which would get her away from so many unfamiliar faces for a couple of hours and readily said so. “I like the idea and would appreciate getting away for a while.”

“Me too,” Larry offered.

Cathy took control of the conversation saying, “Well, then it’s settled. Looking at each of the spouses in turn, she asked, “How would you like dinner out and then drinks in a quiet piano bar?”

“Sounds lovely, Jack answered. “Seriously, it would be a nice thing for us to do for the Colemans. I know Cathy would like to get away. She’s been a champion and perfect hostess. I believe the rest of us should pitch in and pay Cathy’s way tonight. It’s the least we can do.”

Stephanie squeezed her hand as Jack said this. Jack was now another of Big Tim’s relations that had won her over.

The four spouses met outside on the patio. Many ideas were tossed around but it was finally decided that they would leave the house around 6:30, attend a nice restaurant for dinner and then find a quiet place to enjoy drinks and conversation. Cathy said, “Tim and I know of a very nice piano bar. Soft music and a fine wine menu.” Smiling at Peggy, she asked, “How does that sound?”

Peggy appreciated that the extended family understood her shyness and discomfort. Smiling at all of them, she answered, “It sounds wonderful!”

“Great!” Cathy responded. “One more thing.”

“What’s that?” Larry asked.

“I see no reason why we should worry about a curfew.” The four of them laughed a hearty laugh. Cathy was grateful everyone seemed to be getting along and things were going as well as they were. She and Big Tim could not ask for more than what they were enjoying this weekend.

What began for Tim as a worrisome notion quickly turned into something he found quite amusing. As the day wore on, he noticed that Cathy and the other spouses looked forward to this evening with childlike anticipation. Just like Christmas Eve when I was a kid, he thought, and wondered how tonight would go with just the seven Coleman kids in the house. For sure, it would not be the same as family gatherings of 50 years ago, but he was wise enough not to expect that anyway. All of the parents and grandparents were long gone; indeed, he and his siblings and cousins were now of the grandparental generation and, as he enjoyed a cold beer early in the afternoon, this gave him a bit of a jolt. Time marches on, Tim reasoned, and he continued to savor this weekend and renewed relations with those who had meant so much to him earlier in life.

So now, Big Tim’s attention turned to what the Colemans would do at home tonight. After speaking with Stephanie and Bob, he decided to stay with the plan which had worked so well so far. That is, nothing would be planned for this evening except food, drink and the pleasure of each other’s company. Until this evening, everyone would enjoy much appreciated free time. Several of the guests opted to leave the house for periods of an hour or more. Not so much because they had anything to do, but mainly to get away for some privacy. Yesterday’s 4th of July party had taken an emotional and physical toll on the extended family. It had been wonderful but also exhausting.

The day passed quickly. It was almost 6:00 p.m. and Cathy was dressing to go out. Tim shared with her his amusement at the enthusiasm she and the others felt in getting away for the evening. Cathy laughed and told him, “This was a good idea. Spur of the moment stuff always works best.” Tim did not agree that spur of the moment plans were always the best but wisely did not comment. Instead, he offered, “This weekend is flying by.”

Cathy replied, “Yes. I guess yesterday was the main event, but tonight will be a special time for you and your family. Tomorrow, everyone will be thinking of returning home.”

Strangely, Tim did not lament this too much. He was a realist and had always believed that when something is over, it’s over. Thinking of this, he said to his wife, “Yeah, but that’s tomorrow. Tonight is for fun. That’s why we – you mostly – have worked so hard on this weekend.”

Cathy smiled, kissed her husband and left the bedroom to join the others. It was just about time to leave. At 6:20, they were gathered at the side door leading to the driveway. The four of them would travel in Cathy’s SUV to the Plaza for their night out.

Tim joined them at the door. Cathy said, “I suppose we’ll see you later.” Playfully, she added, “Maybe.”

Cathy kissed her husband for the second time within the last few minutes and told him, “We’ll be home eventually.”

Smiling, he added, “I hope.” The other Colemans shouted goodbyes to them as they eagerly headed for the car.

By the time Cathy and the others reached the Plaza, which was several miles from the Coleman home in Overland Park, the group had loosened up considerably.

Earlier in the afternoon, Cathy discussed privately with Tim and Stephanie suggestions of where to go and what to do that evening. The Plaza seemed to be the ideal and logical place, for there would be much to do and see. It is very difficult not to have a pleasant time when in the Plaza area.

Kansas City’s upscale Country Club Plaza is one of the nicest of its kind anywhere in the United States. Modeled after Seville, Spain, it covers 14 city blocks. There are well over 100 shops and boutiques to pique one’s interest and a couple of dozen fine restaurants to satisfy any appetite. It was the perfect place for Cathy to take her small group out for a night’s entertainment. The Scot in Cathy came out as she silently appreciated the fact that her guests were treating her tonight, for a night out in the Plaza would not be cheap.

The evening passed quickly. Over dinner, which they enjoyed at a very pricey Italian restaurant, Jack commented, “I always enjoy coming to the Plaza. The area is so beautiful.”

“Ever been here after dark?” Cathy asked.

“Once. Many years ago.”

“Well,” she said, smiling, “you are in for a treat. Wait until you see the lighted horse drawn carriages.”

Jack smiled back. “I’ve seen them on television. Sometimes they will show camera shots of the Plaza when there is a nationally televised football game. I look forward to seeing one up close.”

Peggy was the one enjoying herself the most. Cathy thought getting out of the house was doing her a world of good. Peggy, for whatever the reason, had trouble handling the stress of familial relations. As it on cue, Peggy said, “The food here is delicious. Do you and Tim come down here often?

Looking at her, Cathy replied, “Not real often. We have some favorite shops and eating places down here but usually the drive is a bit long. I suppose you could say we are not patient people. Both of us retired and in too much of a hurry to drive 10 miles. Besides, The Oak Park Mall in Overland Park is much closer and cheaper too.”

Larry said, “Well, this is a very nice evening so far. I believe this idea to split up tonight is working very well. I wonder how the Coleman’s are doing.”

Cathy’s reaction was swift. Wiping a bit of spaghetti sauce from her chin, she said, “I’m sure they’re fine. I don’t know why they wouldn’t be.” As the others chipped in to pay the bill and waiter’s tip, she added, “But we should think about what we will do next. I suggest we have a drink.”

Larry asked, “Do you know a place that’s not too crowded?” The Plaza on Saturday night was always a beehive of activity. There was a legitimate concern that there would be a waiting list to get into a nice place.

“There is that small piano bar I told you about towards the edge of the Plaza that should be a good place for us. With luck, it won’t be too crowded. It’s not really a night life hotspot like most of the others here.”

“Are you saying it’s suitable for a group of old geezers like us,” Jack asked, a wide grin accenting his long face.

Cathy shot back, “Speak for yourself.” As she picked up her purse and arose from the table, this was everyone else’s cue to follow her lead. Soon, they were outside and walking the three blocks to the piano bar they hoped would not be too noisy or busy.

The good luck of reunion weekend held and, as they walked into the reception area of the small club, Cathy’s group was delighted to see the piano bar was quiet and mostly vacant. Asking about this, the hostess informed them the club did not get busy until after 10:00. As it was only 8:45, they basically had the place to themselves.

The bar was cozy, elegant and provided a sense of intimacy. It was designed perfectly to do what it was supposed to do: allow people to relax in a quiet setting and encourage the sale of wine and liquor.

Relax and consume the establishment’s excellent wine is exactly what they did. Already full of fine food and a bit of wine from their evening meal, it didn’t take long for them to become tipsy. Fortunately, they were in a quiet place which did not encourage rude or boorish behavior. They sat, visited, sipped wine and then sipped more wine all very quietly. They talked of many things; some pertaining to family and others not. It was shortly past midnight when they left the bar, which was now full. Even so, Larry noticed that it was still relatively quiet. “It’s the clientele this place attracts, I guess,” he said, commenting on his observation.

The group walked unsteadily to the SUV parked several blocks over. The Plaza was alive with people and partying, so they were not noticed. In another part of town, they would have been ripe for assault: four persons past the age of 50 who had too much to drink. But, again, reunion weekend luck held and soon they were safely in the SUV and on their way home. Cathy, as the vehicle’s owner and the most practical and least intoxicated person, did the driving.

Cathy drove slowly. There was no need to hurry and she did not need a police officer pulling her over. It was almost 1:00 a.m. when she pulled the SUV into the Coleman driveway.

Cathy was the first to enter the house from the side door, the same way they had exited several hours earlier. She was surprised to see the house dark and quiet. Her first thought was, Tim must be entertaining down in the basement. Even so, she did not hear anything, which would be unusual in a house of seven people who no doubt had been drinking. But, she and the others were tired. The reunion weekend was ending and thoughts were now of bed and sleep. Quietly, she said to the others, “It appears everyone is in bed. I’m a bit surprised but probably shouldn’t be. Its 1:00 a.m. and tomorrow we wind down. I think we should all go to bed. Be careful not to make noise.”

They did as Cathy suggested and all was quiet until morning.

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